How To Reset Drivers Windows 10?
If your computer is experiencing technical problems or is running slowly, then you may need to reset your drivers in Windows 10. Resetting drivers can help resolve driver-related issues, or even help improve your computer’s performance. This article will guide you through the process of resetting drivers in Windows 10.
To reset drivers in Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows Key + I.
- Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- After your PC restarts to the Choose an Option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall updates.
- Select the latest driver update you want to uninstall, then select Uninstall.
- Restart your PC.
How to Reset Drivers in Windows 10?
The ability to reset drivers in Windows 10 can be a useful tool for troubleshooting and fixing issues. It is important to understand how to reset drivers before attempting to do so, however, as there are consequences to resetting drivers that can lead to further problems. This article will explain how to reset drivers in Windows 10, as well as the potential risks.
What is a Driver?
A driver is a software program that allows a computer to communicate with hardware or other software programs. It instructs the computer on how to interact with a specific piece of hardware or software. Drivers are necessary for the proper functioning of hardware, such as printers, scanners, sound cards, and video cards. Drivers are also necessary for software, such as video games and web browsers.
Why Reset a Driver?
Sometimes drivers can become corrupted or outdated, leading to issues such as hardware not working properly or software not running correctly. In these cases, resetting the driver can be a useful tool for troubleshooting and fixing the issue.
How to Reset a Driver
The first step in resetting a driver is to open the Device Manager. To do this, open the Start Menu and type “Device Manager.” This will open a window with a list of all of the hardware and software installed on your computer.
Once the Device Manager is open, locate the device or software you wish to reset the driver for. Right-click on the device or software, and select “Update Driver.” This will open a window with the option to “Reset Driver.” Select this option and the driver will be reset.
Risks of Resetting a Driver
Resetting a driver can cause issues with other drivers or software, as the reset driver can conflict with other programs. It is important to make sure that the driver is compatible with your system before resetting it. It is also important to make sure that the driver is up-to-date, as resetting an outdated driver may cause more issues than it solves.
Troubleshooting After Resetting a Driver
If problems arise after resetting a driver, it may be necessary to uninstall the driver and then reinstall it. To do this, open the Device Manager and select the device or software. Right-click on the device or software and select “Uninstall.” Once the driver is uninstalled, it can be reinstalled by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version of the driver.
Automatically Updating Drivers
To ensure that drivers are always up-to-date and to reduce the need to manually reset drivers, it is recommended to use a driver updater tool. These tools will automatically check for new driver updates and install them, ensuring that your system is always up-to-date.
Using Windows Update to Reset Drivers
Windows Update can also be used to reset drivers. To do this, open the Start Menu and type “Windows Update.” This will open the Windows Update window, where you can select “Check for Updates.” Windows Update will then search for any available updates and install them. This includes driver updates, which will reset any outdated or corrupt drivers.
Using a System Restore to Reset Drivers
If problems persist after resetting the driver, it may be necessary to use a system restore. System restore will reset your computer to a previous state, before the driver was reset. To do this, open the Start Menu and type “System Restore.” This will open the System Restore window, where you can select a restore point and then click “Restore.”
Using System File Checker to Reset Drivers
System File Checker can also be used to reset drivers. To do this, open the Start Menu and type “sfc.” This will open the System File Checker window, where you can select “Scan Now.” System File Checker will then scan your system for corrupt or missing files, including drivers, and will reset them if necessary.
Using Device Manager to Disable and Reenable Drivers
If a driver is causing problems, it may be necessary to disable and then reenable it. To do this, open the Device Manager and locate the device or software. Right-click on the device or software and select “Disable.” Once the driver is disabled, it can be reenabled by right-clicking on the device or software and selecting “Enable.”
Using Command Prompt to Reset Drivers
The Command Prompt can also be used to reset drivers. To do this, open the Start Menu and type “cmd.” This will open the Command Prompt window, where you can type “devcon.exe Reset
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Driver on Windows 10?
A driver is a piece of software that helps the operating system communicate with a device such as a printer, scanner, or other hardware. It is responsible for telling the device what to do and how to do it. Without drivers, the computer would not be able to recognize the device and the device would not be able to work.
In Windows 10, drivers are installed automatically when the device is connected. If the driver is not installed correctly, it may cause issues with the device and prevent it from working properly.
How do I Reset a Driver in Windows 10?
Resetting a driver in Windows 10 is a simple process. The first step is to open the Device Manager. This can be done by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager from the list of options.
Once in the Device Manager, find the device you want to reset the driver for and right-click on it. Select “Update Driver” and then choose “Search automatically for updated driver software”. Windows 10 will then search for an updated driver and install it if one is found. If no driver is found, then the existing driver will be reset.
What should I do if I cannot find the Driver in Windows 10?
If you cannot find the driver in Windows 10, you may need to download the driver from the device manufacturer’s website. To do this, you will need to know the exact model of the device and the operating system you are running. Once you have the information, go to the manufacturer’s website and search for the driver.
Download the driver, save it to your computer, and then open the Device Manager. Find the device and then right-click on it. Select “Update Driver” and then choose “Browse my computer for driver software”. Locate the driver file you just downloaded and then follow the onscreen instructions to install the driver.
How do I Uninstall a Driver in Windows 10?
Uninstalling a driver in Windows 10 is a straightforward process. First, open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Device Manager from the list of options.
Once in the Device Manager, find the device you want to uninstall the driver for and right-click on it. Select “Uninstall device” and then follow the onscreen instructions. The driver will be uninstalled and the device will no longer be recognized by Windows 10.
What should I do if I am having trouble Uninstalling a Driver?
If you are having trouble uninstalling a driver, you may need to use the Device Cleanup Tool. This tool can be used to remove any leftover files or registry entries associated with the device.
To use the Device Cleanup Tool, download the tool and then run it. Select the device you want to remove and then click “Uninstall”. The tool will then remove any associated files and registry entries that may be causing the issue. Once the process is complete, the device will no longer be recognized by Windows 10.
What should I do if I cannot Find the Driver in the Device Manager?
If you cannot find the driver in the Device Manager, it may be a sign that the driver is not installed correctly. To install the driver, you will need to download the driver from the device manufacturer’s website.
Once you have the driver, open the Device Manager and find the device you want to install the driver for. Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver”. Choose “Browse my computer for driver software” and then locate the driver file you just downloaded. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the driver and then restart the computer. The device should now be recognized by Windows 10.
How To Restart A Driver On Windows 10
Resetting drivers for Windows 10 is an easy process if you follow the steps listed in this article. It can be done quickly and efficiently with the help of the Device Manager, a tool that can be found in the Windows Control Panel. Once the drivers have been reset, you can make sure that your devices are working properly and efficiently. Remember that if you’re stuck, you can always refer to the official Microsoft support page for help. Thanks for reading!
